THE WILDCATS WRESTLING team will try to keep things simple as they start the 2013-2014 season and they continue to improve their performance on the mat.
Photo by Jen Barnett | photo-jen-ics.smugmug.com

“We’re trying not to get ahead of ourselves,” said Wildcats coach Mason Milligan. “We want to look forward, but we have goals we have to accomplish as well.”

The Wildcats will be returning several key grapplers that will help the team accomplish its other goals this season.

One of them, senior Sam Cottam, will make his return to the mat after finishing fifth at the state tournament last year.

Many of the others, said Milligan, will have “some big shoes to fill” once they start wrestling through the region duals and other in-state tournaments.

One returnee, Stone Mele, will be wrestling at 132 pounds this season and is a returning captain.

“He really didn’t do well in region, but he placed high in several other tournaments last season,” said Milligan. “We’re looking for him to provide some leadership, and we want him to place well at the state tournament this season.”

At 138 pounds, Houston Christiansen wrestled in junior varsity last season and is fighting for a spot on the varsity team.

“He’s been training in the off-season and has been doing well,” said Milligan. “He’s been through the program for a couple years and knows what he needs to do.”

Davis Halls also goes to the mat with some experience. Wrestling at 145 pounds, Halls has also been wrestling with the Wildcats since his freshman year, and has been traveling to tournaments around the country during the offseason.

“He went to the big tournament in Fargo and placed well,” Milligan said. “He also went to (Las) Vegas and did well. He’ll be an exciting wrestler to watch.”

Milligan reveled in the team he has coming into the new season, and said “this is the best looking wrestling class we’ve probably had in decades.”

With a schedule that includes the Layton Invitational and the Royal Duels, Milligan believes his team will be able to fight for a region title.

“I think it could be ours for the taking,” he said. “This region is a tough wrestling region, there’s no doubt, but I think we’re going to be ready for the challenge. The season is pretty long, and our schedule has some good tournaments, so we’ll see what we can do.”